Tried another conversion but, this time, using Handbrake set to the "Legacy iPod" setting. Then compared the two results. The Handbrake file had no trouble being synced to my iPod. Video Monkey is producing Baseline "2.1" files while Handbrake is producing Baseline "3.0" files. Could this be the problem?
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Did this ever get resolved? Now that Snow Leopard has killed my beloved VisualHub, I'm looking for a replacement, and Video Monkey looks fantastic - except that it has never worked for me, so far. I can encode videos, but they won't transfer to my iPod (an older 80 G video iPod, not sure what the exact model designation is, but I can look it up if that's needed). Is there something I might be doing wrong?
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
It may have. I fixed some problems with the framerate/size combination. But I never received a response to my question, so I don't have verification if that particular problem was fixed.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Well, I haven't tried HandBrake, but I do have some info comparing Video Monkey and the output from using Quicktime X to "Save as" and selecting the "iPod" option for the format of Quicktime's output. Here's some stuff from the Quicktime Inspector, on two versions of the same AVI file:
Quicktime's .m4v output (*can* be copied to my iPod through iTunes):
Format: H.264, 624 x 352, Millions
AAC, 2 channels, 44100 Hz
FPS: 23.91
Data size: 275 MB
Data rate: 1,634.78 kbit/s
Video Monkey's .mp4 output (*can't* be copied to my iPod):
Format: H.264, 320 x 176, Millions
AAC, 1 channels, 11025 Hz
FPS: 11.99
Data size: 78.4 MB
Data rate: 466.86 kbit/s
(This is the result of choosing "Convert to: All Apple Devices", no other options deliberately selected, so as far as I know everything's still on the defaults for VM.)
So VM's result is substantially smaller, but for some reason my iPod won't take it. The size and frame rate are also significantly different … Hope this suggests something!
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Also, it would be useful if you could bring both files into VM, go to Input Info and tell me what the Video Info says. That's a more complete indication of the formats being used.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
iTunes doesn't give any reason for not being able to use it, it's just that nothing happens when I try to drag the file from iTunes to the iPod. Normally it copies over and shows up under TV Shows (or Movies), but in this case, it just silently refuses. I don't know if there might be a hidden error message, somewhere, but I can't see any.
OK, Input Info/Video Info for the Quicktime-encoded file:
Hmmm. That's confusing. I've never seen that problem. I believe I have the same vintage iPod and can use files with the given profile just fine. I have to say that I don't drag files to the iPod. I simply check the videos I want to transfer by clicking on the Videos tab. Maybe try that?
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
First of all, what a world we live in that we both consider something released in 2007 as "vintage"! :) But I digress …
I've always manually managed my playlists (audio and video), and unfortunately I can't start now without iTunes threatening to erase all my existing shows and movies (many of which are now only on the iPod, and digging them out from backups would be a pain). So I'll give your suggestion a try, but some time in the future when I've managed to clear off my old videos and won't be destroying everything by doing a sync. (A sync is what you're talking about, isn't it? I go to the iPod's screen under iTunes and click TV Shows or Movies, and there's a big check mark to say "yes" to sync them from my iTunes Library? Then there's a big warning to the effect that "This will destroy everything you have ever loved, and in particular will erase all the TV shows and movies you've ever put on this iPod, is that OK with you?" I get that far and then have to say "No, that's not at all OK with me" :))
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Same Problem here - File does not transfer to my Ipod (Ipod with Video from early 2007, i.e. 5G 2nd version, one before the ``Classic'' moniker).
The handbrake web page http://forum.handbrake.fr/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8283
indicates that there is a special flag that has to be set to allow sync - that might be the issue but I have not been able to find proper documentation of this so far.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
I'm having the same issue. I converted a batch of files using the iPod conversion, set to "TV screen" size and for some others the "all Apple formats" setting. When I go to Sync I get an error saying the format cannot be played on this iPod.
Like most everyone here I have the 'vintage' 2007 80G video iPod.
To your earlier question, I compared two similar video files one which syncs and one that doesn't
The one that does was formatted using iSquint and gives the following input data:
Container Info
Format: MPEG-4
Duration: 22m 16s
Size: 292.4mb
Video Info
Thanks for the data, it really helps. So it looks like the problem is either that the iPod can't play a 640x480 file or that it can't do Baseline profile. Try doing the same encoding but not using TV Screen, so it makes a movie that is 512x384, and let me know if that can transfer. Either way, please send the Input data again.
Thanks
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Well, my problem is solved, but it's a bit of an extreme, hardware-based solution: my 2007 iPod died, and I've replaced it with one of the more recent 160 GB models. Now the Video Monkey output syncs without any problem - so it's some sort of mysterious function of the slightly older model.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Well, it's encoded at 1.5Mbps, which is right at the limit of the device. But everything else looks fine. It's too bad your old unit died. It would be useful to track down the actual problem.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Was this problem ever solved?
I have the same problem. Files transfer to my ipod touch and appletv but not my ipod 5g. I use the all apple devices setting at standard quality. Output info:
Video Info:
Codec: H.264
Profile: Baseline@3.0
Interlacing: no
Frame Size: 640X368
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Framerate 23.94fps
Bitrate: 820kbps
Incidently a handbrake file that works gives the following input values to get a comparison:
Video Info:
Codec: H.264
Profile: Baseline@3.0
Interlacing: no
Frame Size: 720x400
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Framerate 25.00fps
Bitrate: 1.5Mbps
The handbrake is a rip of a UK DVD hence the framerate difference.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
So is there anything I can do to make the conversions compatible with my iPod? If so, what do I need to do?
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Anonymous
-
2010-04-16
Ok, reading this i feel that some of you didn't find the answer you were looking for.
First and foremost, if you are encoding a file to be used by an iPod (or iPhone/iPad) then the file needs to come out as .m4v not mp4. Although they are very similiar and the process may be as simple as changing the extension from .mp4 to m4v. I do know in some cases i have renamed .m4v to mp4, but i encode everything to .m4v (Apple's .mp4 format) because sooner or later it will end up on one of those devices. The renaming thing won't always work, .m4v sometimes has a strange (strange to .mp4) audio stream and what you will find is that the video files won't have any audio unless you play them in VLC player (this thing plays everything!)
I use Handbrake to encode my video, simply make sure "iPod 5g support" is checked and the filename should now show as filename.m4v
I was doing some research to see if this Video Monkey might be worth looking into, maybe it ran faster than my beloved Handbrake. But i guess i might just try it myself. Handbrake is free for OS X and i believe even Windows now.
Actually, there is no difference between the two suffixes as far as the contents go. The reason the m4v suffix exists is because Apple uses it to indicate a file that is intended to be used for iTunes. It may contain DRM and therefore Apple uses it to distinguish an "Apple-specific" MPEG-4 file. MPEG-4 regardless of the suffix used, can contain a variety of encoded content. This includes multiple channels of audio and video as well as other data, such as subtitles.
Video Monkey can handle MPEG-4 files regardless of their suffix. If the content is DRM protected VM cannot read that content, but that is independent of the file format. Currently VM will use the first video and first audio stream for transcoding. I have plans to store AC3 audio as a second audio stream, if it exists. This would allow the AC3 stream to be used in systems that can decode it, and AAC stereo otherwise.
All Apple devices will use files with an .mp4 suffix just fine, as long as it is encoded in a format that the device can understand. One of the main purposes of VM is to make sure the output format is appropriate for the selected device. I don't think it's perfect yet. But I know it does a good job of encoding for iPhone/iPod Touch, the latest iPod Classic and Apple TV because those are the devices I use regularly. It may be possible that the All Devices setting produces files that may not work on "All Devices", and the iPod Nano encoder is not well tested for that device.
If you are using VM and see any issues where encoding a file for use on an Apple Device produces a file that does not work on that device, please submit a bug.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Dropped the file into VM, set the slider, clicked the "TV" radio button and started the trancoding. It seems t have converted properly; everything is in sync but iTunes won't let it sync to my 5G iPod. Anyone care to guess why? Thanks.
Console log follows.
============================================================================
Begin transcode: BigMovie.mp4 --> BigMovie_1.mp4
[Command 0]
[Command 0] Command to execute:
[Command 0] ffmpeg -y -i "/Users/blevine//BigMovie/BigMovie.mp4" -vcodec libx264 -b 853839.921951294 -s 640x272 -aspect 640:272 -r 23.976 -async 50 -acodec libfaac -ab 128000 -ar 48000 -ac 2 -vpre hq -bf 0 -coder 0 -flags2 -wpred-dct8x8 "/Users/blevine//BigMovie/BigMovie_1.mp4"
[Command 0]
[Command 0] --> FFmpeg version SVN-r18075, Copyright (c) 2000-2009 Fabrice Bellard, et al.
[Command 0] --> configuration: --disable-ffplay --disable-ffserver --enable-gpl --enable-postproc --enable-avfilter --enable-avfilter-lavf --enable-libfaac --enable-libfaad --enable-libmp3lame --enable-libvorbis --enable-libtheora --enable-libx264 --enable-libxvid
[Command 0] --> libavutil 50. 0. 0 / 50. 0. 0
[Command 0] --> libavcodec 52.22. 0 / 52.22. 0
[Command 0] --> libavformat 52.32. 0 / 52.32. 0
[Command 0] --> libavdevice 52. 1. 0 / 52. 1. 0
[Command 0] --> libavfilter 0. 4. 0 / 0. 4. 0
[Command 0] --> libswscale 0. 7. 1 / 0. 7. 1
[Command 0] --> libpostproc 51. 2. 0 / 51. 2. 0
[Command 0] --> built on Mar 20 2009 07:27:34, gcc: 4.0.1 (Apple Inc. build 5493)
[Command 0] --> Seems stream 0 codec frame rate differs from container frame rate: 47.95 (48000/1001) -> 23.98 (24000/1001)
[Command 0] --> Input #0, mov,mp4,m4a,3gp,3g2,mj2, from '/Users/blevine//BigMovie/BigMovie.mp4':
[Command 0] --> Duration: 02:15:09.16, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 2123 kb/s
[Command 0] --> Stream #0.0(eng): Video: h264, yuv420p, 704x304, 23.98 tbr, 23.98 tbn, 47.95 tbc
[Command 0] --> Stream #0.1(und): Audio: aac, 48000 Hz, stereo, s16
[Command 0] --> Stream #0.2(und): Audio: aac, 48000 Hz, 5.1, s16
[Command 0] --> [libx264 @ 0x100a000]using SAR=1/1
[Command 0] --> [libx264 @ 0x100a000]using cpu capabilities: MMX2 SSE2Fast SSSE3 Cache64
[Command 0] --> [libx264 @ 0x100a000]profile Baseline, level 2.1
[Command 0] --> Output #0, mp4, to '/Users/blevine//BigMovie/BigMovie_1.mp4':
[Command 0] --> Stream #0.0(eng): Video: libx264 (hq), yuv420p, 640x272 [PAR 1:1 DAR 40:17], q=10-51, 853 kb/s, 2997 tbn, 23.98 tbc
[Command 0] --> Stream #0.1(und): Audio: libfaac, 48000 Hz, stereo, s16, 128 kb/s
[Command 0] --> Stream mapping:
[Command 0] --> Stream #0.0 -> #0.0
[Command 0] --> Stream #0.1 -> #0.1
[Command 0] --> Press [q] to stop encoding
[Command 0] --> video:857639kB audio:126606kB global headers:1kB muxing overhead 0.457077%
[Command 0] --> [libx264 @ 0x100a000]slice I:2570 Avg QP:18.28 size: 23362
[Command 0] --> [libx264 @ 0x100a000]slice P:191852 Avg QP:20.84 size: 4265
[Command 0] --> [libx264 @ 0x100a000]mb I I16..4: 13.7% 0.0% 86.3%
[Command 0] --> [libx264 @ 0x100a000]mb P I16..4: 1.6% 0.0% 2.3% P16..4: 50.7% 18.3% 9.3% 0.0% 0.0% skip:17.8%
[Command 0] --> [libx264 @ 0x100a000]final ratefactor: 20.51
[Command 0] --> [libx264 @ 0x100a000]ref P L0 74.4% 13.3% 8.4% 3.9%
[Command 0] --> [libx264 @ 0x100a000]SSIM Mean Y:0.9809107
[Command 0] --> [libx264 @ 0x100a000]kb/s:866.4
Succeeded!
Tried another conversion but, this time, using Handbrake set to the "Legacy iPod" setting. Then compared the two results. The Handbrake file had no trouble being synced to my iPod. Video Monkey is producing Baseline "2.1" files while Handbrake is producing Baseline "3.0" files. Could this be the problem?
It's more likely to be a size/framerate combination. What size and framerate did VM produce vs HandBrake?
Did this ever get resolved? Now that Snow Leopard has killed my beloved VisualHub, I'm looking for a replacement, and Video Monkey looks fantastic - except that it has never worked for me, so far. I can encode videos, but they won't transfer to my iPod (an older 80 G video iPod, not sure what the exact model designation is, but I can look it up if that's needed). Is there something I might be doing wrong?
It may have. I fixed some problems with the framerate/size combination. But I never received a response to my question, so I don't have verification if that particular problem was fixed.
Well, I haven't tried HandBrake, but I do have some info comparing Video Monkey and the output from using Quicktime X to "Save as" and selecting the "iPod" option for the format of Quicktime's output. Here's some stuff from the Quicktime Inspector, on two versions of the same AVI file:
Quicktime's .m4v output (*can* be copied to my iPod through iTunes):
Format: H.264, 624 x 352, Millions
AAC, 2 channels, 44100 Hz
FPS: 23.91
Data size: 275 MB
Data rate: 1,634.78 kbit/s
Video Monkey's .mp4 output (*can't* be copied to my iPod):
Format: H.264, 320 x 176, Millions
AAC, 1 channels, 11025 Hz
FPS: 11.99
Data size: 78.4 MB
Data rate: 466.86 kbit/s
(This is the result of choosing "Convert to: All Apple Devices", no other options deliberately selected, so as far as I know everything's still on the defaults for VM.)
So VM's result is substantially smaller, but for some reason my iPod won't take it. The size and frame rate are also significantly different … Hope this suggests something!
What is the vintage of your iPod? And what reason does iTunes give you for not being able to use it?
Also, it would be useful if you could bring both files into VM, go to Input Info and tell me what the Video Info says. That's a more complete indication of the formats being used.
iPod vintage: I think it's what's called an "iPod classic", 80 G capacity, released around 2007. (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1353#ipodclassic)
iTunes doesn't give any reason for not being able to use it, it's just that nothing happens when I try to drag the file from iTunes to the iPod. Normally it copies over and shows up under TV Shows (or Movies), but in this case, it just silently refuses. I don't know if there might be a hidden error message, somewhere, but I can't see any.
OK, Input Info/Video Info for the Quicktime-encoded file:
Codec: h.264
Profile: Basline@L3.0
Interlacing: no
Frame size: 624x352
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Framerate: 23.98fps
Bitrate: 1.5 Mbps
And for the VM-encoded file:
Codec: h.264
Profile: Basline@L2.0
Interlacing: no
Frame size: 320x176
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Framerate: 11.99fps
Bitrate: 450.9 Kbps
Hmmm. That's confusing. I've never seen that problem. I believe I have the same vintage iPod and can use files with the given profile just fine. I have to say that I don't drag files to the iPod. I simply check the videos I want to transfer by clicking on the Videos tab. Maybe try that?
First of all, what a world we live in that we both consider something released in 2007 as "vintage"! :) But I digress …
I've always manually managed my playlists (audio and video), and unfortunately I can't start now without iTunes threatening to erase all my existing shows and movies (many of which are now only on the iPod, and digging them out from backups would be a pain). So I'll give your suggestion a try, but some time in the future when I've managed to clear off my old videos and won't be destroying everything by doing a sync. (A sync is what you're talking about, isn't it? I go to the iPod's screen under iTunes and click TV Shows or Movies, and there's a big check mark to say "yes" to sync them from my iTunes Library? Then there's a big warning to the effect that "This will destroy everything you have ever loved, and in particular will erase all the TV shows and movies you've ever put on this iPod, is that OK with you?" I get that far and then have to say "No, that's not at all OK with me" :))
Same Problem here - File does not transfer to my Ipod (Ipod with Video from early 2007, i.e. 5G 2nd version, one before the ``Classic'' moniker).
The handbrake web page
http://forum.handbrake.fr/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8283
indicates that there is a special flag that has to be set to allow sync - that might be the issue but I have not been able to find proper documentation of this so far.
I'm having the same issue. I converted a batch of files using the iPod conversion, set to "TV screen" size and for some others the "all Apple formats" setting. When I go to Sync I get an error saying the format cannot be played on this iPod.
Like most everyone here I have the 'vintage' 2007 80G video iPod.
To your earlier question, I compared two similar video files one which syncs and one that doesn't
The one that does was formatted using iSquint and gives the following input data:
Container Info
Format: MPEG-4
Duration: 22m 16s
Size: 292.4mb
Video Info
Codec: h.264
Profile: Simple@L1
Interlacing: no
Frame Size: 512X384
Framerate: 23.98fps
Bitrate 1.6 Mbps
Audio Info
Codec: ACC
Sample Rate: 44.1 KHz
Channels: 2
Bitrate: 128.0Kbps
And the VM which Won't transfer
Container Info
Format: MPEG-4
Duration: 22m 19s
Size: 269.5mb
Bitrate: 1.6 Mbps
Video Info
Codec: h.264
Profile: **Baseline@L3.0**
Interlacing: no
Frame Size: **640X480**
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Framerate: 23.94fps
Bitrate 1.5 Mbps
Audio Info
Codec: ACC
Sample Rate: 48.0 KHz
Channels: 2
Bitrate: 128.0Kbps
Thanks for the data, it really helps. So it looks like the problem is either that the iPod can't play a 640x480 file or that it can't do Baseline profile. Try doing the same encoding but not using TV Screen, so it makes a movie that is 512x384, and let me know if that can transfer. Either way, please send the Input data again.
Thanks
Alright I ran a file as iPod size, but I still got no sync-love. Here's the output:
Video Info:
Codec: H.264
Profile: Baseline@3.0
Interlacing: no
Frame Size: 320X240
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Framerate 29.97fps
Bitrate: 1.5Mbps
Well, my problem is solved, but it's a bit of an extreme, hardware-based solution: my 2007 iPod died, and I've replaced it with one of the more recent 160 GB models. Now the Video Monkey output syncs without any problem - so it's some sort of mysterious function of the slightly older model.
Well, it's encoded at 1.5Mbps, which is right at the limit of the device. But everything else looks fine. It's too bad your old unit died. It would be useful to track down the actual problem.
You've still got mine at your disposal, although it's starting to give me indication of impending doom…
ok, great. Can you try something else, then? Try encoding a movie with all the same settings, but at a lower bitrate (turn down the quality slider).
Was this problem ever solved?
I have the same problem. Files transfer to my ipod touch and appletv but not my ipod 5g. I use the all apple devices setting at standard quality. Output info:
Video Info:
Codec: H.264
Profile: Baseline@3.0
Interlacing: no
Frame Size: 640X368
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Framerate 23.94fps
Bitrate: 820kbps
Incidently a handbrake file that works gives the following input values to get a comparison:
Video Info:
Codec: H.264
Profile: Baseline@3.0
Interlacing: no
Frame Size: 720x400
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Framerate 25.00fps
Bitrate: 1.5Mbps
The handbrake is a rip of a UK DVD hence the framerate difference.
I did a little bit of reading around, and the first generation of iPod video (5G) only supports the baseline profile.
I'm sorry I meant does NOT support the baseline profile.
So is there anything I can do to make the conversions compatible with my iPod? If so, what do I need to do?
Ok, reading this i feel that some of you didn't find the answer you were looking for.
First and foremost, if you are encoding a file to be used by an iPod (or iPhone/iPad) then the file needs to come out as .m4v not mp4. Although they are very similiar and the process may be as simple as changing the extension from .mp4 to m4v. I do know in some cases i have renamed .m4v to mp4, but i encode everything to .m4v (Apple's .mp4 format) because sooner or later it will end up on one of those devices. The renaming thing won't always work, .m4v sometimes has a strange (strange to .mp4) audio stream and what you will find is that the video files won't have any audio unless you play them in VLC player (this thing plays everything!)
I use Handbrake to encode my video, simply make sure "iPod 5g support" is checked and the filename should now show as filename.m4v
I was doing some research to see if this Video Monkey might be worth looking into, maybe it ran faster than my beloved Handbrake. But i guess i might just try it myself. Handbrake is free for OS X and i believe even Windows now.
For more info on .m4v here is a wiki with some good explanations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4V
I hope this helps some of you.
Actually, there is no difference between the two suffixes as far as the contents go. The reason the m4v suffix exists is because Apple uses it to indicate a file that is intended to be used for iTunes. It may contain DRM and therefore Apple uses it to distinguish an "Apple-specific" MPEG-4 file. MPEG-4 regardless of the suffix used, can contain a variety of encoded content. This includes multiple channels of audio and video as well as other data, such as subtitles.
Video Monkey can handle MPEG-4 files regardless of their suffix. If the content is DRM protected VM cannot read that content, but that is independent of the file format. Currently VM will use the first video and first audio stream for transcoding. I have plans to store AC3 audio as a second audio stream, if it exists. This would allow the AC3 stream to be used in systems that can decode it, and AAC stereo otherwise.
All Apple devices will use files with an .mp4 suffix just fine, as long as it is encoded in a format that the device can understand. One of the main purposes of VM is to make sure the output format is appropriate for the selected device. I don't think it's perfect yet. But I know it does a good job of encoding for iPhone/iPod Touch, the latest iPod Classic and Apple TV because those are the devices I use regularly. It may be possible that the All Devices setting produces files that may not work on "All Devices", and the iPod Nano encoder is not well tested for that device.
If you are using VM and see any issues where encoding a file for use on an Apple Device produces a file that does not work on that device, please submit a bug.